Rotary drilling rig



H. PENNINGTON ROTARY DRILLING RIG Sept. 8, 1931.

Filed Dec. 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Sept; 8, 1931, H. PENNINGTON ROTARY DRILLING RIG Filed Dec. 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v gwuzntoz Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES HARRY PENNINGTON, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS ROTARY DRILLING RIG Application filed December 8, 1925.- Serial No. 73,995.

My invention relates to rotary rigs em-' ployed in drillingwells for water, oil, gas,- sulphur and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a rotary which is of as lightwei ht as is possible, so as to decrease the inertia of the rotating table. This will eliminate damage to the drill stem when the drill is prevented from rotatin due to contact with a boulder or through fiecoming stuck in gumbo. It is also desired that the. rotary table be flat and free of holes and depressions either in the top or sides.

It is also an object to so construct the rotary that the shaft, ears and similar parts may be effectively lu ricated. It is further desired to provide an adjustable, firmly aligned bearing, capable of maintaining line contact between the driving elements, and to enclose the operating means to prevent entrance of grit, slush and similar foreign matter.

. Referring to the drawings herewith in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth, Fi 1 illustrates a top plan view with one hal of the rotary table removed to show the bed plate. Fi 2'is a vertical sectional view through the evice. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view-of the rotary table. Fig. 4 is an end view; and Figs. 5 and 6 are sections on the lines 55 of Fig. 2, and 6-6 of Fig. 1, respectively. Like numerals of reference are applied to like parts in all the views.

In the construction of my improved rotary, I mount the rotary table 1.,above a one piece bedplate .2 which is supported in the usual manner upon two longitudinal skids 35. The table comprises an annular plate which I contemplate making fiat on its upper surface, and on its lower side is formed a central downwardlyextending tubular member 36.

This member extends through beyond the lower face of the b'edplate 2, and has threaded thereon at the lower end a radially extending ring or nut 37 to engage below the bedplate and hold the table-rotatably 1n position. The opening through the tubular member is suflicient to accommodate the handling of pipe used in dri1lin g-the well.

The rotary table has to be of sufiicient thickness to accommodate the back-up-posts ordinarily employed which must be positioned therein, and also to hold the usual bushing for gripping devices to be employed in engaging the drill stem, or to receive the bushings for pipe-engaging jaws in handling the pipe- To make the table of sufiicient thickness to properly accommodate these tools, it is ordinarily necessary to make this table very heavy. It is therefore not easily portable. It is so heav that its inertia, in rotating, acts as a fly w eel to exert a strain upon the drill stem which is being rotated. If, therefore, the bit should catch in a crevice in the rock, or engage a boulder, or become caught for any reason, the driving effect of the table willordinarily tend to twist off the drill stem or break the bit. In order, therefore, to make the table so light that its inertia will not be reat, and also to make it 'more sensitive to rillin conditions, I have cored out the interior 0 the table and have done this in such a manner that there are no openings available for mud or other foreign matter to obtain entrance thereto. This is accomplished, asshown best in Fi 3. The cores formed therein when the ta le is cast, are obtained, toward the outer portion, through longitudinal openings 24, arcuate in shape. These openings, or chambers, are spaced apart by webs 17 and 18. Spaced inside this circle of openings is a second series of openings 19 w ich are preferably four in number, as shown in the drawings. These two series of openings enable the manufacturer to produce the table at small expense and obtain a structure much lighter than usual.

Said openings thus obtained are covered by the remaining portion of the structure. The outer series of openings 24 are covered by means of a gear ring 3, the upper side of which fits against the lower face of the table so as to cover the openings 24, and the ring is held in position covering the openings by meansof set screws 4 which extend downs wardly through the webs 18, and are screwed within recesses on the upper face of said rin The lower face of the ring is provided wit ring is grooved to provide a track in which the bearings may roll. The upper surface fits against and covers the openings 19, as

seen in Fig. 2. I

The table is rotated through a driving shaft 7. Said shaft is provided at its inner end with a driving pinion 8 so placed as to mesh with the teeth of the ring 3, previously described. The shaft 7 is journalled in a specially constructed bearing sleeve 9 supported within a bearing housing formed on the bed plate 2. This sleeve extends entirely around the shaft and-has a central bearing surface 10 to fit about the shaft, and the outer end of the sleeve is adapted to be closed by a plate 11, which also fits closely about the shaft and furnishes a bearing therefor. The sleeve 9 has two laterally extending lugs 12 thereon which are adapted to rest upon upwardly extending supports 13 formed on the bedplate, as shown in Fig. 5. It is to be noted that the bed plate has the bearing housing integral therewith so that the shaft bearings may be supported firmly and not get out of alignment. Shims 14 are placed between the lugs 12 and the supports 13 to form a close fit between the parts and also to allow for the adjusting of the shaft vertically to allow for wear when wear occurs. It will be thus obvious that the position of the shaft vertically may be changed by merely removing one of the shims 14, or adding one, as occasion arises. The line contact between the pinion 8 and the drive ring 3 may thus be maintained with a nicety of adjustment which is much to be desired in the operation of rotaries.

The bedplate 2 .is an integral plate supporting said bearing housing and table and has an upwardly extending rim 15 thereon immediately below the table 1, and this rim is adapted to fit at its upper end within a groove 16 in the lower face of the table 1, the outer wall of said groove thus forming a short downwardly extending skirt. Within this rim 15, and closely adjacent the tubup lar member 36 of the table is a lower race ring 25a adapted to accommodate the roller bearings 6. A groove 21 is formed in the upper face of the ring 25a to receive the said bearings. Said groove is formed with a series of oil ducts 22 therein, leading from said groove to the outer face of said ring.

- Between the ring 25a and the rim 15 of the bedplate, is thus provided an annular chamber23 which extends entirely around the bedplate beneath the table, but has on the side adjacent the pinion 8 two upwardly extending walls 24 which prevent the lubri cant within the said chamber from pouring directly against the pinion 8.

Below the said pinion 8 and the sleeve 9 in which the shaft is rotatable, is a chamber 25 for lubricant. This chamber is closed at its outer end by the plate 11, previously referred to, and extends inwardly to the base 26 centrally of the bedplate. The pinion 8 thus rotates in a bath of oil which is en.- gaged by the teeth of the pinion, and carried upwardly into contact with the gear 3 which rotates to carry the oil above the Walls 24 of the lubrication chamber 23, and allows the lubricant to drop from the teeth of the ring into said chamber 23. This chamber thus becomes filled with oil to the level of the ducts 22 and is thereby fed to the roller bearings 6, which are thus fully lubricated. The lubricant fed to the bearing 6 will be carried around adjacent the end of the pinion 8 and may then pass out through the ducts 22 on that side, and flow back into the chamber 25 from which it came. It is also-found that the oil dipped up by the pinion 8 is spurted laterally against the bearing race 6 by the meshing of the teeth of the pinion with those of the gear ring, thus further adding to the lubrication of the bearings There will, therefore, be a continuous flow of lubricant about the gears and the bearings upon which the table rotates. It will hence be possible to rotate the table without the usual amount of vibration and friction caused by the driving gears, and there will be very little wear upon the bearlngs. It will also be obvious that there will be very little dirt or grit allowed to enter into the lubricated portion-of the operating mechanism. The unitary assembly of the drive shaft 7, pinion 8, and sleeve 9' may be inserted longitudinally through the housing and secured in position with the pinion engaging the gear 3. The end plate 11 will then be secured in place to retain the lubricant on the bearings. I

The advantages of this construction are that the table is of a minimum weight. It will be strong enough to exert the usual driving torque upon the drive stem, and will still be light enough so that it may be easily stopped or started without strain upon the drill stem, or upon the driving mechanism. The bearing for the driveshaft is arranged to be properly aligned so that no vibration will occur thereon, and when wear occurs about the bearings 6, or in the gears 3 and 8, the driving contact may be adjusted by the manipulation of the shims 14.- along the hearing. The drive shaft will therefore not only be held in alignment, but its position may be adjusted to maintain a close line contact at all times. The arrangement for the lubricant is particularly eflicient, and will prevent wear for long periods of time.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

, 1. In a rotary for well drilling, an annular rotary table, a bed late upon which said table is supported, said table having a series ofcored recesses in its lower face, a gear ring covering some of said recesses, a bearing ring covering the remainder of said recesses, a drive pinion engaging said gear ring, and means to lubricate said pinion and bearing ring.

2. In a rotary for well drilling, an annular rotary table, a bedplate upon which said table is supported, said table having a series of recesses cored in the lower face thereof, means to close the openings leading to said recesses, including a gear ring and a bearing ring on the lower face of said table, a drive shaft adjustably j ournalled on said bedplate, and a pinion on said shaft engaging said gear I1I10'.

3? In a rotary for well drilling, an annular rotary table, a bedplate upon which said table is rotatable, antifrietion bearings between said table and bed plate, an oil chamber formed in said bed plate outside said bearings, a gear ring on said table, a driven shaft on said bed plate, an oil chamber in-said bed plate below said shaft, and a gear on said shaft, said gear and bearings arranged to cause a circulation of oil between said oil chambers.

4. In a rotary for well drilling, an annular rotary table, a bed plate in-which said table is rotatable, bearings between said table and bed lates, a gear ring on said table, an upwar ly extending rim on said bed plate below said table enclosing a chamber for lubricant, there being ducts from said chamber to said bearings, a drive shaft, andmeans to lubricate said shaft, said lubricating means and said chamber being in communication with each other whereby said shaft may run in oil.

5. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, an annular upstanding rim thereon havin a small opening at one side, a rotatable ta le above said rim forming a chamber within said rim, bearin s in said chamber, a drive shaft on said be plate extending through said openin a pinion on said shaft, a gear ring on sai table above said pinion, and a lubricant containing recess in said bed plate below said shaft and pinion, said pinion being adapted to convey lubricant from said recess to said gear ringand to said chamber.

6. In a rotary ri for well drilling, a bed plate, an annular ta le-receiving rim extending upwardly thereon, a lateral extension on said rim at one side, a table rotatable above said rim, bearings on said bed plate for said table, a gear ring on said table, a drive shaft, a pinion thereon engaging said gear ring, an integral sleeve surrounding said shaft within said extension for the greater portion of its length and having bearings for said shaft,

said rim and extension being formed to define the outer boundary of a chamber to contain lubricant.

7. In a rotary rig for well drilling, a bed plate, an annular table-receiving rim extending upwardly thereon, a lateral extension on said rim, a table rotatable above said rim, bearings on said bed plate for said table, a gear ring on said table a drive shaft, a pinion thereon engaging said gear ring, an integral sleeve surrounding said shaft within said extension for the greater portion of its length and having bearings for said shaft, lateral lugs on said sleeve, means on said plate engaging said lugs to adjust the height of said sleeve and shaft in the manner described, said rim and extension being formed to con tain lubricant. I

8. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate having a circular opening therein, a rotary table above said plate, a tubular member on said table extendingthrough said opening, bearings between said table and bedplate adjacent said tubular member, a gear ring on said table, a drive shaft, and a pinion thereon engaging said gear ring, said bed plate having lubricant containing recesses therein extending around said table beneath said gear ring and beneath said shaft and pinion, whereby said shaft, pinion and bearings may be constantly running in oil.

9. A rotary drilling device including a one-piece bedplate, atable rotatable thereon, antifriction thrust bearings between said table and said bedplate, a gear ring carried by said table, a drive shaft, a pinion thereon engaging said gear ring, bearings for both ends of said shaft on said bedplate, an integral casting forming a housing for said shaft bearings on said bedplate, said shaft extending outside said shaft bearing, and means on the extending portion to drive said shaft.

10. In a rotary drilling machine, a table, a gear, a one-piece bed plate, an anti-friction thrust bearing between said table and bed plate, a shaft bearing carried entirely on said bed plate, a shaft mounted in said bearng, a shaft extension outside of said bearmg, and means thereon for connecting to and driving said shaft.

11. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, a table rotatable thereon, means to rotate said table, said table having core recesses on the under side thereof, and means on said table to close said recesses.

12. In a rotary for well drilling, an annular rotary table, a bedplate upon which said table is rotatable, anti-friction bearings between said table and bedplate, an oil cham-v ber formed in said bedplate, a gear ring on said table, a drive shaft, operatively con- :tion bearings between said table and bed plate, a pinion shaft carried by said bed plate, a gear on said table, a pinion on said shaft engaging said gear, and means for varying the relative vertical distance between said table and pinion shaft simultaneously at both ends of said shaft for the purpose described.

14. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, an annular table rotatable thereon, antifriction bearings for said table, a gear ring on said table, an upwardly extending rim on said bedplate, a downwardly extending rim on said table, a drive shaft, a drive pinion and means to lubricate said bearings, said lubricating means and said shaft being enclosed and in communication with each other whereby said bearings and shaft may be run in oil.

15. In a rotary, an integral bed plate, an annular upwardly projecting rim on one end of said bed plate, an annular rotary table, a downwardly extending skirt on said table co-operating with said rim to form a mudexcluding compartment, bearings on said bed plate for said table, a lateral extension on said rim forming a unitary bearing housing, and a drive shaft for said tablein said bearing. r

16. In a rotary, an integral bed plate, an annular upwardly projecting rim on said bed plate, an annular rotary table, a downwardly extending skirt on said table cooperating with said rim to form a mud-excluding compartment, hearings on said bed plate for said table, a lateral extension on said rim forming a unitary bearing hous-' ing, a drive shaft for said table 1n said bearing, said housing and said compartment being connected to contain lubricant whereby said shaft and table bearings may run in oil.

17. In a rotary drilling machine, a bed plate, a rotary table,means on said bed plate .and table to enclose a lubricant-containing chamber, an anti-friction thrust bearing between. said table and said bed plate, a gear carried by said table, a pinion, a drive shaft forsaid pinion, bearings carried by said bed operating with said rim to enclose an oil chamber about said bearings and exclude mud therefrom, a gear on said table within said chamber, a drive shaft, a pinion thereon engaging said gear, a unitary oil containing bearing sleeve on said bed plate, surrounding said shaft and connected with said chamber and adapted to contain lubricant, and means on the outer end of said shaft to communicate rotation thereto.

19. In a rotary for Well drilling, a bed plate, a table rotatable thereon, bearings for said table, a rim on said bed plate outside side bearings, a laterally extending housing on said rim,-a gear ring on said'table, and a unitary assembly of drive shaft, pinion and bearing adapted to be inserted longitudinally into said housing in driving positionto engage said pinion with said gear.

20. A rotary for well drilling, including a bed plate, an annular rim thereon, a laterally extending drive shaft bearing extension at one side of said rim, said bed plate, rim and extension being one integral cast ing, a table rotatable above said rim, bearings in said extension, a driveshaft supported entirely insaid bearings and operaiilve connections between said shaft and ta- 21. An integral bed plate, a'table rotatable thereon, a gearing on said table, a laterally extending bearing housing on said bed plate, a bearing sleeve supported throughout its length on said housing, a drive shaft in said sleeve supported entirely thereby and a drive pinion on said shaft engaging -said gear ring.

22. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, a table rotatable thereon, a chamber formed between said bedplate and table, a bearing housing on said bedplate extending laterally from said table, there bein an opening from said chamber into said be ing housing, a shaft and bearings supported in said housing, and an endplate surrounding-said-shaft and connected with said housing to inclose lubricant therein.

23. The. combination of a bedplate, a table rotatable thereon, a gear on said table, a drive shaft, :1. laterally extending bearing housing on said bedplate, a bearing sleeve in said housing, a bearing for said shaft therein, an upwardly extending rim on said bedplate with a lateral opening-into said bearmg housing, and means of. inclosing said bearingin said housing for retaining oil therein. a

24. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, an annular rim on said bedplate, a table above said rim, means on said table co-operating with said rim to exclude slush, a drive shaft, a drive pinion thereon projecting through an openin .in said rim to 0peratively engage said ta le, bearings for said shaft, means to support said shaft and to close the opening in said rim, whereby said bearings may be lubricated from the interior of said rim.

25. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, an upstanding annular rim thereon, a table rotatably mounted above said rim, said rim having a lateral opening, a shaft housing extending laterally from said rim about said opening, a shaft, a pinion thereon, said shaft and pinion being insertable through said housing and said opening to operatively engage said table, and means to close the outer end of said housing about said shaft.

26. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, a table rotatable thereon, a gear on said table, means forming a lubricant containing chamber between said table and bedplate, a laterally extending shaft bearing housing on said bedplate, and means to exclude foreign matter from said chamber and housing. 1

, 27. In a rotary for Well drilling, the combination with a base, of a rotary table having an annular gear, anti-friction bearings supporting said table upon said base, a drive pinion for said gear, a closed structure 011 said base cooperating with the table for inclosing said gear, anti-friction bearin s, and pinion, a shaft bearing housing on sald bedplate, a pinion shaft therein and means on said closed structure and said shaft bearing housing for excluding slush therefrom.

28. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, an upstanding rim thereon having an opening at one side, a rotatable table above said rim forming a chamber within said rim, hearings in said chamber, a drive shaft on said bedplate extending through said open- 1 ing, a pinion on said shaft, a gear ring on said table engaging said pinion and interengaging means on said bedplate and said table for excluding foreign matter from said chamber.

29.. In a rotary for Well drilling, a bed plate, a table rotatably -mounted thereon, complementary parts between the bedplate and table forming a chamber therebetween; bearings supporting the table in rotation on to be inserted for engaging said gear; and means thereon for excludingJ slush from the inclosure between table and edplate.

31. In a rotary for well drilling, av bedplate, a table, a thrust bearing therebetween, a gear on the table, a pinion meshing with said gear, a laterally extending shaft bearing housing, complementary parts between said table and said bedplate for inclosing gear, pinion and thrust bearing, and means thereon for preventing the admission of slush into the inclosure formed of the complementary parts.

32. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed- 1 HARRY PENNINGTON.

the bedplate; a gear ring on the table; a drive shaft, a pinion thereon engaging the gear ring; an integral sleeve, a bearing support therein for said shaft; a housing integral with the bedplate, and means on said housing and sleeve for securlng and maintaining alignment of said pinion with said gear.

30. In a rotary for well drilling, a bedplate, a table rotatably mounted thereon; a gear on said table; a pinion engaging said gear; complementary parts on the bedplate and table inclosing the gear, one of said complementary parts consisting of an upstanding rim on the bedplate, there being a lateral opening into the rim, a shaft, a pinion thereon, said shaft and pinion being adapted DISCLAIMER 1,822,710.Harry Pennington, Houston, Tex. ROTARY DRILLING RIG. Patent dated September 8, 1931. Disclaimer filed June 16, 1938, by the patentee.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 5, 6, 8 to 12, inclusive, and 15 to '32, lnclusive.

[Ofiicial Gazette July 12, 1.938.] 

